Wellington Prison Public Open Day

The Department of Corrections is holding an open
day at Wellington Prison from 10am to 3pm this Saturday 24
November, before the prison officially closes at the end of
the month.

Karen Petrie, Corrections Services’ Lower
North Regional Manager said the prison was a good example of
an early 20th century prison, and visitors would see this
during the open day.

“Wellington Prison has now reached
the end of its life after 85 years in operation. When it was
built in 1927 it was considered a progressive facility for
its time. However, New Zealand has moved on considerably
since then and today the prison is not up to the standard of
a modern Corrections facility and no longer meets our
needs.

“We’re committed to reducing re-offending by 25
percent by 2017, and to do so, we need facilities that will
help us meet that target,’ she said.

During the open
day, visitors will be able to take a self-guided tour of the
prison, starting with the control room and then the
receiving office, where newly-arrived prisoners were
photographed and their details checked, before moving on
through the prison.

The prison’s cell blocks will be
open for visitors to see how prisoners ate, slept and
showered.

Visitors will also be able to see the print
shop, which has been an important part of Wellington Prison
and remains an important rehabilitation industry for
Corrections, enabling prisoners to gain valuable skills and
experience that help them find work once they are released
back into the community.

“There’s a lot to see and
take in during the open day, and Corrections staff will be
on hand to answer any questions people have,” Ms Petrie
said.

“It’s also an opportunity for anyone who’s
interested in joining Corrections, either as a Corrections
Officer, Nurse or Psychologist, to talk with our recruitment
team.”

Entry to the open day is by gold coin donation,
with funds going to charities selected by Wellington Prison
staff, including Night Shelter, Women’s Refuge, Victim
Support and the Salvation Army.

All prisoners will have
been relocated to other prisons ahead of the open
day.

Open Day Details

When: Wellington
Prison Open Day, Saturday 24 November, 10am –
3pm.Where: Main Road, Maupuia, Wellington
6022Cost: Entry by gold coin donation, with all
proceeds going to Night Shelter, Women’s Refuge, Victim
Support and the Salvation Army.Remember:
Corrections facilities are smoke-free. Visitors are
encouraged to car-pool as there is limited parking at the
prison.

Wellington Prison will be decommissioned following
its official closure on 30 November 2012.

Once the site
has been decommissioned, the Department intends to hand it
over to Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) to manage the
disposal of the buildings and land, taking into account both
historic and treaty settlement considerations.

Since July,
prisoners have been gradually relocated to Rimutaka Prison
and other prisons based on standard transfer practice and
their individual
needs.

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